candlehandle candle holders by yiannis ghikas

candlehandle candle holders by yiannis ghikas

all images © giorgos vitsaropoulos

since its foundation in 1857, the first gas plant of athens has left its mark on the city’s urban planning and its economic development. in 1984 the factory’s operation was suspended, not due to the pollution, but mainly due to its location in the center of athens, near the acropolis. 
almost thirty years after the suspension of its operation, the first industrial museum of athens – the industrial gas museum – was inaugurated in the factory’s complex of historic buildings, under the auspices of the greek captial.


on the occasion of the museum’s operation, a gift shop was also opened in its premises. the space supports the work of greek industrial designers, so that they can produce their designs within the country, given the strong need for domestic production.
 yiannis ghikas, the first industrial designer to get commissioned by the museum, draws reference from the concept of the ‘old fashioned’ and ‘obsolete’ – characteristics that once led to the closure of the factory. paying tribute to the outdated energy model, ghikas developed – what else? – a candle holder entitled ‘candlehandle’.

Candlehandle, candle holder, 2013 photo Giorgos Vitsaropoulos

Candlehandle, candle holder, 2013 photo Giorgos Vitsaropoulos

Candlehandle, candle holder, 2013 photo Giorgos Vitsaropoulos

Candlehandle, candle holder, 2013 photo Giorgos Vitsaropoulos

Candlehandle, candle holder, 2013 photo Giorgos Vitsaropoulos

Candlehandle, candle holder, 2013 photo Giorgos Vitsaropoulos

Candlehandle, candle holder, 2013 photo Giorgos Vitsaropoulos

Candlehandle, candle holder, 2013 photo Giorgos Vitsaropoulos

Candlehandle, candle holder, 2013 photo Giorgos Vitsaropoulos

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